A/N Good news for those of you who are big fans of Jane Thornton: Here's a whole chapter focused on her! (I didn't set out to make this a Jane-focused chapter, but here we are) Enjoy!

...

I woke when Jane pressed her little hand to my face. "Mama. Mo'ning."

My eyes shot open. "Jane Elizabeth, how did you get in here? Did you climb out of your crib?"

She nodded. "No mo seep."

"You can't do that, Jane." I sat up and pulled her into my lap, brushing my fingers through her hair. "You could get hurt."

"No huht."

"I know you didn't get hurt this time, but you could get hurt next time."

Unaffected by my words, she just took my hand and tugged on it. "Eat, pease."

"One minute, Jane. Can you please go back to your room and get clean diapers for you and your sister?"

She climbed down from the bed and pattered across the hall while I retrieved Eleanor from the cradle. Once I changed their diapers, I helped Jane back down off the bed and lifted Eleanor to my shoulder.

"Okay, Janie," I offered her my free hand as we headed down the hall, "do you want toast and eggs or pancakes?"

"Yes."

I chuckled. "That wasn't a yes-or-no question. We'll have toast and eggs." I slowed my steps as I helped her navigate the stairs. "I think your dad got a brand-new jar of strawberry jam from Auntie Abigail."

"Where dada? Dada go?"

"He had to go to work early today. We can go visit him later. Do you think we should bring him some lunch?"

She nodded emphatically.

"Okay, we'll have lunch with dad, but first, we'll have some breakfast." I lowered Ellie to the floor and gave her a cold cloth to chew on. "Can you help me watch your sister while I make you some eggs?"

"Yes."

I watched the girls out of the corner of my eye while I stirred the eggs in the skillet. Ellie held the rag in her mouth, giggling at Jane, who was busy making silly noises. I smiled, thankful that—for now, at least—they got along well.

"You're such a good big sister, Janie."

She grinned. "Nanie good."

...

I pushed the pram down the street, Jane walking along beside me. "Janie, are you excited to have lunch with your dad?"

"Yes! Wuv dada!"

I opened the door to the jail and was confronted by two unfamiliar men in red serge sitting with Jack. Jane hid behind my legs at the sight of the strangers, peeking out from behind my skirt.

"Elizabeth." Jack stood. "You can come in."

"Oh, I'm sorry. We can go, if this is a bad time."

"No," he waved us over, "it's fine. Come on in."

Jane ran right to him, clutching his leg. I pushed the pram through the door.

"Constables, this is my wife, Elizabeth, and our girls, Jane and Eleanor. Elizabeth, this is Constable Macdonald and Constable Brown."

I shook their hands as he introduced them. "It's nice to meet you."

"You as well, ma'am."

"I wasn't expecting you to come by, so I was just about to take them over to Abigail's for some lunch."

"No, you have a nice time with your family. I'm sure we can handle a meal on our own," Constable Brown spoke up. "You said it's just down the street?"

Jack nodded. "Just head that way, and you can't miss it." He pointed in the direction of the café. "Come back in an hour, and we can finish going over everything."

They shook Jack's hand and gave me a nod before they headed out the door.

"I'm sorry, Jack. If I had known you had visitors, we wouldn't have come by."

He shook his head, slipping his arms around my waist. "Don't apologize. They'll be fine." He kissed me softly. "I'd rather have lunch with you and the girls, anyway."

"Okay." I set the picnic basket on the desk and started unpacking it.

"Dada." Jane lifted her arms. "Up, pease."

He picked her up and kissed the top of her head. "Hi, Janie. Did you help your mama make lunch?"

"Yes."

I chuckled. "She did, if by 'helping,' you mean 'sneaking bites of food while I wasn't looking.'"

Jack laughed. "That's my girl."

"So," I cleared my throat, "why are they here?"

"Just stopping by on their way to their new assignments up north. Their superiors thought I might be able to give them a bit of an idea of what things are like since I've been up there before."

I stepped over and touched his cheek. "Are you okay?" I knew he didn't like talking about his time in the Northern Territories—there were a lot of bad memories there.

"I'm fine."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise. I'm mostly just telling them about the land and the people. The other stuff isn't as relevant now."

"Okay." I kissed him softly and resumed unpacking our lunch.

"So, how have you been spending the first day of the summer break?"

"Well, my day started with Jane waking me up by crawling into our bed."

"But she was in her crib."

I raised my eyebrows. "It seems she's learned to climb out of it."

"Jane Elizabeth." He shifted her in his arms. "You're supposed to wait for me or mama to help you out of your crib in the morning."

"It was going to happen sooner or later. We just need to teach her she can't do that."

He shrugged. "Or we could put her in a regular bed."

"Let's give it a few more days before we make a decision like that." I moved the pram next to the desk, allowing me to keep a better eye on Ellie while we had lunch.

"Okay." He held out a chair for me, pushing it in once I was seated. "So Jane woke you up. Then what?"

"Breakfast—Ellie is definitely teething, by the way—and then we played outside, Jane drew some pictures while Ellie napped, we read a book, and then we came here."

"Sounds like a very productive morning."

I laughed. "Not particularly. I could have done laundry, or dusted, or mopped."

"Spending time with the girls is productive."

"I suppose that's true. It's a different kind of productive." I glanced between Ellie and Jane. "They're definitely more important than having a clean house."

...

"Elizabeth?" Jack came down the stairs, carrying Jane. "This is five mornings in a row that she climbed out of her crib."

"Jane Thornton, we told you that you can't do that anymore."

"Maybe we should consider putting her in a regular bed now." He shifted her to his hip.

"What do you think, Janie? Do you want a big girl bed?"

"Bed?"

"We can see if Ned has a catalog we can look through the next time we stop by the Mercantile, get something ordered." He took a seat at the table. "Maybe we could even get one in time for her birthday."

A few hours later, we left the girls with Rosemary and headed into town. Jack and I stood at the counter in the Mercantile, flicking through the pages of a catalog.

"What about this one?" Jack pointed at the page. "It looks fairly low to the ground, so we wouldn't have to worry about her falling too far if she happened to roll in her sleep."

"I don't know. Just the thought of her being able to roll off worries me, even if the fall isn't far."

"What if we put it against a wall and I build a small railing for the other side? And we could put a rug beside the bed to make the floor softer."

"I guess." I glanced away from the catalog.

"Elizabeth," he touched my arm lightly, "what's really bothering you?"

I sighed. "She's growing up, Jack. Our daughter isn't a baby anymore."

"Hey." He pulled me into his chest, kissing the top of my head. "As hard as it is, that's a good thing."

I leaned into him. "I know."

...

I hurried to the phone, trying to get to it before the ringing woke Eleanor.

"Hello?"

"Elizabeth?"

"Hello, Julie. It's nice to hear from you. How are you?"

"Well," she paused, "I've actually been a little sick lately. That's why I'm calling."

My stomach dropped, and I immediately thought the worst. "Are you okay? Do you need us to come out there?"

"No, no. I'll be okay. We just won't be able to make it to Hope Valley for little Jane's birthday."

"Oh. That's fine. I understand. Are you sure everything is okay with you?"

"Positive. It's just a touch of morning sickness. I've been told it will pass in the next couple of months."

"Morning sickness? You're having a baby?"

"Yes!" she squealed. "I'm not sure exactly when I'm due, but I think early next year, maybe."

"I'm so happy for you, Julie. Is Tom excited?"

"He's absolutely thrilled. He's such a good father to Callum, and I know he'll be a wonderful father to this baby, too."

"Well, congratulations to you both."

"Thank you, Elizabeth."

Jack walked into the room. "Who are you talking to?"

I covered the mouthpiece. "Julie."

"Tell her I said hello."

"Julie? Jack says hello."

"Is he there? May I speak with him?"

"Of course." I held the phone out toward Jack. "She wants to talk to you."

"Okay…" He took the phone from me. "Hello, Julie."

I watched his face as they spoke, trying to discern what she was telling him based on his reactions.

"That's great, Julie! Congratulations." He was quiet for a moment as she responded. "Oh, we understand." Another pause. "I'll tell her. I'll give you back to Elizabeth now."

I took the phone from him. "Julie?"

"Sorry about that. I wanted him to find out the news from me."

"Of course. It's your news."

"Oh, Callum just woke up from his nap, so I should go get him. I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye, Julie."

...

Jack set the boxes in the front room. "Are these going to the nursery, or are we putting her in a different room now?"

"Well, I'd like to keep the nursery where it is since we aren't done having babies yet, so I guess we can put her in a different room. Maybe we can let her choose which room."

"Janie." Jack called her over from where she was playing with Chief. "Mama and I want you to choose where you want your big girl bed. Okay?"

She nodded and held out her arms for him to pick her up.

I shifted Ellie higher on my hip and followed them up the stairs. "Maybe not the far room, Jack."

"Got it." He stopped partway down the hall. "Now Jane, since you're such a big girl now, you get a brand-new room with your big girl bed. Do you want this room?" He pushed open the door to his left. "Or this room?" He pushed open the door to his right.

She glanced back and forth between the two rooms a few times before pointing to the left.

"That's the room you want?" Jack set her down and let her walk around. "We'll put your new bed in here, and your toys. What do you think, sweetheart?"

"Emtee."

"Yes, it's empty right now. It won't be in a few days, though."

She returned to Jack, and he picked her up. "We'll get it all set up, and then after your birthday, this will be your room."

...

I brushed my fingers through Jane's curls and sighed. "I can't believe tomorrow is her second birthday. It feels like she was just born."

"She's growing too fast," Jack agreed. "But you have to admit, it is pretty great seeing her little personality develop."

"It is." I smiled sadly. "She's turning into an independent little girl right before our eyes."

"Independent and stubborn." He kissed my temple. "Just like her mom."

"Who's to say she didn't get her stubbornness from you?" I raised my eyebrows.

"No, it's definitely from you." He smirked, leaning in to give me a quick kiss. "Should I take her to the nursery now?"

"Not yet." I touched her cheek. "This is our last chance to hold her as a one-year-old."

"Oh, don't say that."

"Sorry." I smiled at him. "It's the truth, though."

"How about we just let her sleep in here tonight?"

"You spoil her, Jack Thornton."

"Hey," he nudged me with his shoulder, "you know you want to keep her in here, too."

Jane woke the next morning while I was feeding Ellie. She rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Mama."

"Come here." I reached for her with the arm that wasn't holding the baby. "Good morning, Janie. I love you."

She curled into my side and yawned. "Dada seep."

"Yes. Your dad is still sleeping." I looked over at Jack and smiled.

"No, I'm awake," he mumbled, eyes still closed. "I just need to make sure I'm rested up for someone's birthday party later."

"Janie, whose birthday is it?"

"No know."

"It's your birthday, Janie." Jack reached over and poked her belly. "You were born exactly two years ago."

"Can you say, 'I'm two'?"

"I two."

"Good job, Janie. Now, if anyone asks you how old you are, you say, 'I'm two.'"

...

Jane squirmed in my lap, wide-eyed as she watched the two candles burning on the cake in front of her.

"Happy birthday to you!" Everyone looked at Jane expectantly when they finished singing.

"Blow out the candles, Janie."

She just stared at the cake, confused. Jack crouched down beside her.

"Can you blow out the candles, sweetheart? Like we do with the dandelions." He pretended to blow on the candles, encouraging her to join him.

With his help, she got the candles out, and everyone clapped. She laughed, loving the attention.

"Now, let's get this cake cut!" Abigail took the cake away to slice it, returning shortly with a piece for Jane. "Here you go, birthday girl."

"Tank you!" Jane eagerly took the cake, not even waiting for silverware before she grabbed a bite with her fingers.

"Jane Thornton." I chuckled. "Can you please use a fork?"

"Cake, mama!"

"I know. You're supposed to eat cake with a fork."

...

"Nanie!" Patrick giggled as he chased after Jane.

She dropped to the ground and burst out laughing. "Pat!"

Rosemary sidled up to me. "It's good to know they still get along as two-year-olds."

I laughed softly. "Yes, it is."

"I really wonder if they might end up together someday."

"Maybe," I shrugged, "or maybe they'll just be like a brother and sister."

"Either way, I'm glad they have each other."

"So am I." I touched her arm. "We all have each other."

Jack walked over, carrying a sleeping Eleanor. "Elizabeth, we should probably head home. It's almost Jane's bedtime."

"Let's give her a few more minutes. They're having so much fun." I nodded toward her and Patrick.

"Okay. Just a few minutes."

Half an hour later, we were nearing our house. Jane had fallen asleep on Jack's shoulder somewhere along the way. She took a deep breath and shuddered.

"Well, I'd say that was a successful birthday party. It looks like she's out."

"She had a good time." He smiled and rubbed her back. "I'm so glad our children get to grow up here."

"So am I." I pushed open our front door. "It's like having a big extended family around all the time."

"So many people to love them."

...

I followed Jack as he carried Jane down the hall.

"Okay, Janie, remember what your mama and I told you? Now that you're a big two-year-old, you get to sleep in your new room, in your new bed." Jack pushed open the door and lowered her to the floor.

"What do you think, sweetheart?"

She turned back toward us and pointed toward the nursery. "Nanie room."

"That was baby Jane's room. This is big girl Jane's room. Remember, you got to pick your new room?"

She still looked a little apprehensive as she glanced around the room.

"How about we snuggle in and read a book?" I suggested.

"Mama book?"

I smiled. "I'll go get it."

By the time I returned, Jack had convinced Jane to get in her bed. He was seated beside her, brushing his fingers through her hair. I lowered myself onto the floor next to the bed, and Jane reached out for my hand.

With her other hand, she clutched her doll to her chest as he read to her. Despite her nervousness, it didn't take long before the familiarity and comfort of Jack's voice had lulled her to sleep.

Jack closed the book and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Good night, Janie. I love you."

I pulled the quilt up to her shoulders, kissing her cheek. "Sleep well, sweetheart. I love you, too."

We took a few steps away from the bed, still watching her. Chief stayed curled up on the rug beside the bed.

Jack put his hands on my arms. "Well, she's not a baby anymore."

I leaned into him. "No, she's not."

"Elizabeth." He kissed my temple. "We should let her sleep now."